Banner, Sun Health merger moves forward

Nine months after announcing their plans for a merger, Sun Health and Banner Health soon will be making it official.

The Federal Trade Commission said it has successfully concluded its review, and Banner Health and Sun Health expect to complete the transaction by the end of August. Officials from both organizations said this time-frame was selected to allow sufficient time to finalize all the related details.

Sun Health's patient-care related operations and employees will join with Banner Health through this transaction. Included are Boswell and Del E. Webb Hospitals, the Research Institute, MediSun and other related health-care services and facilities. These entities will then carry the Banner Health name in lieu of Sun Health. The mission of these facilities will continue to be supported by Sun Health Foundation, Sun Health Auxiliary and Sun Health Properties as these three nonprofit organizations will remain independent and continue to encourage charitable contributions and generate other needed funding.

The merger was announced in September, with the heads of both organizations citing the rapid growth of the community as a reason for the move. At the announcement, Sun Health President and CEO Leland Peterson said West Valley residents should view the merger as a good thing.

"This merger is being pursued for very positive reasons," Peterson said. "It is critically important to meeting the challenges of the rapidly growing West Valley's increased health care needs."

In the coming weeks, staff from both organizations will continue to collaborate to finalize the details necessary to complete the transaction by the end of August.

Both organizations are committed to ensuring that employees, physicians, volunteers, payer groups, government agencies and the communities served by Sun Health facilities are kept informed of the progress of these activities.